adj
dominant
DO-mih-nuhnt
adj
1
More powerful, important, or noticeable than others in the same category.
"She quickly became the dominant player on the team."
"Blue was the dominant colour in the painting."
2
Genetics: describing a gene or trait that is expressed even when only one copy is present.
"Brown eyes are typically caused by a dominant gene."
How to Use Dominant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn charge, most powerful, or most noticeable — including a specific meaning in genetics.
Common mistake
A "dominant" gene isn't necessarily the more common one in a population — it just overrides the recessive gene when both are present.
Common pairings
dominant gene
dominant force
dominant position
Word Forms
more dominant comparative, dominants plural, most dominant superlative
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She quickly became the _____ player on the team.
Etymology
Borrowed from French dominant, from Latin dominari, "to rule."